12/14/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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prices. He himself would be content to have the Finance Department continue to regulate increases and allow the taxi companies to operate on. a equal footing with one another. He said that way there would be . no rate undercutting and gouging of customers. He felt some sort of stabil i ty of the industry was necessary,- noti n9 the taxi compani es were competing with federal, state, and county subsidized transportation in the area. - Johnnie Miller, 1141 Main Street, Sprinqfield, represented Eugene Taxi Company. He did not have any objections to a free-market system for taxicab rate's. He did not believe the companies would undercut each other or gouge customers, noting if that were done the cab companies would soon go out of business. He felt Council should look at the possibility of zone rates, as he felt that would eventually be the outcome of the energy shortage. He said the service could be better because reduced rates could be possible in that cabs could carry more than one customer within a zone. He also felt most Qf the cab companies had the rates posted in the cabs now. Mr. Haws questioned if there were going to be a free-market system, how the general public was going to know which cab company was the cheapest. Mr. Miller replied the general public wishing to use cab companies would have to call and ask what the rates were. However, he did not feel there would be that much difference in rates. He noted people use cab companies where the performance and service is good, with clean cars and good dri vers. James Perkins, 360 West 1st Avenue, representing Checker Cab Company, said he had no quarrel with deregulation of rates. Hi s only concern was that the City wants to be involved in the deregulation in requiring cab companies to post their rates with the Finance Department. He e felt that was unnecessary, that if the City were going to deregulate it ~. should not be involved in any way. He noted with the free-market system, the rates could change daily or weekly and that people would have to call cab companies to find out the rates. He also was in favor of the zone rate, noting an exact amount could be given. He felt also the City was not strict enough in enforcing licensing. He noted his intent to go to zone rates if deregulation occurs, which raised an objection in regard to requiring meters in the car as he would have not have need for a meter with zone rates at a set amount. In response to a question by Mr. Delay, Mr. Flogstad said the ordinance being drafted would provide for either meter rates or zoning rates. He expressed an interest in talking further with the cab companies to discuss their feeling regarding the matter. Mr. Delay continued that it seemed posting of rates was primarily for the public benefit and he felt it important that the vehicles do have the rates posted. He felt it impprtant that the posting be in a highly visible place if rates were deregulated. Mr. Williams agreed with the posting on vehicles and noted I (e 12/14/77--6 '\7..5